Another busy week comes to an end, and I say TGIS! I enjoyed my week really. It's great to see something you are a part of exceed expectations from naysayers. GSTC is full to the brim, overflowing into the high schools with programs, and rockin'!
Last night's football game, while a loss, showed us some good things, and things to work on. But I have to ask. Why do idiot children from the other team, have to walk our side of the field with their school mascot? I'm talking thuggy looking kids, not a good representation of their school. One of our school board members was sitting in front of me, and these kids sat on the row in between me and him. Our QB's dad was sitting to the right of the the SBM. These fine students from the opposing school further showed their intelligence by harassing the father of our QB about his school shirt he was wearing. Why do they insist on showing their stupidity? They turned around to me and was about to start in on me, when I gave them the "Don't even start" look. It must have been a good look as they got up and left. This always happens at this school, and it's not even one of the "bad" high schools. So sad. Okay, off the soapbox.
Enjoying this Saturday. I was up at the crack of dawn, which is fine, I can sleep in tomorrow. I did nap a bit on the sofa this morning, but now that I have a bit of caffiene in my system, I'm awake! Both my guys took off this morning early. Patrick's off tubing with some friends. Rick had Defense Coaches meeting this morning. That left me all to myself this morning.
I made myself some scrambled eggs and settled in to watch the Smurfs. Love the Smurfs! I had a friend in HS whose little brother collected every single one of the Smurf figures. I wonder if he still has them? I napped through the home improvement shows, but not before I learned how to take tile off a wall. Look out Rick, you may just come home to a det-tiled bathroom one day!
Hubby walked in about 11:30 just as I finished cleaning the kitchen. We shared a pot of coffee and talked about the week. I've been so exhausted at night that by the time he gets home from practice, it goes in one ear and out the other. I sorted laundry and started that, cleaned the scraproom and sat down to scrap. So midway through the day, I'm having a great one!
Plans are to go out to dinner, and I have stuff I want to create. I think it's going to be a good Saturday, don't you?
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Well, Wednesday's Over!
Will it be downhill from here? As in an easy slide that is. Registration has been fast and furious, our students all in their places with bright shiny faces. After a summer of quiet shops, it's good to see and hear them buzzing with activity.
Most of our classes are full, the other's are filling fast. I think only a fifth of our classes are not full. Our enrollment is the highest it's been for a starting week since I've been there. Certainly our best start since Ivan.
I've still surprised myself in keeping the records straight and filed. Of course it's taking 12 hour days to do it, but it's working.
The guys cooked me dinner tonite. Okay, it was only hotdogs and cheeseburgers but it was still good! We had a nice movie night all that was missing was a group hug. I tried, Patrick just wouldn't have it. So I smothered him with love and kisses. Which I think he hated too.
Thursday Rick heads out to scout some teams with the coaches. I'm heading to a friends to show her how to upload pictures. Then it's FRIDAY! Ah! A weekend! I can hardly wait!
Most of our classes are full, the other's are filling fast. I think only a fifth of our classes are not full. Our enrollment is the highest it's been for a starting week since I've been there. Certainly our best start since Ivan.
I've still surprised myself in keeping the records straight and filed. Of course it's taking 12 hour days to do it, but it's working.
The guys cooked me dinner tonite. Okay, it was only hotdogs and cheeseburgers but it was still good! We had a nice movie night all that was missing was a group hug. I tried, Patrick just wouldn't have it. So I smothered him with love and kisses. Which I think he hated too.
Thursday Rick heads out to scout some teams with the coaches. I'm heading to a friends to show her how to upload pictures. Then it's FRIDAY! Ah! A weekend! I can hardly wait!
Monday, August 24, 2009
I Feel as Washed Out as She Probably Is
After I took care of my family duties on Sunday, I escaped to the beach for a few hours of total relaxation before the chaos that is the first day of school. It's become a tradition with my friend, Linda and I, to spend that last real day before students come back, at the beach. Even tho she's moved on to a higher educational facility, we still stay in touch and continue our wonderful traditions.
By the time we got the cooler packed, chairs loaded and sunscreen on, it was almost 2:00 p.m.. A great time to arrive at the beach if you ask me. Most of the tourists have long been burnt to a crisp, the families have headed home for naptime, and only us older folks are just staking out our spots.
A family that had been there earlier had created the mermaid. It's funny how out of the whole beach, we sat down right next to her before we realized she was there. A father and son drew our attention to her, the young son asking questions about why she was there. And there she was.
It was a wonderful afternoon to be at the beach. The waves were calm, visibility was so clear. We watched a lost beach ball float out to sea for a good half hour. We could see the oil rigs off shore of Alabama, a good 15 miles out. The dolphins and pompano were jumping all afternoon, probably enjoying the cooler air brought on by a cold front that passed through during the night. We watched a tourist get caught on the finger by a crab. His peril for catching the critter in the first place.
We wiled away the hours, people watching, talking, eating pringles and enjoying our beverages. We solved the problems of the world, at least ours anyway, with the ease that comes from being at the beach. I fought off biting flies by throwing sand on my legs as they landed there. Finally they took off for sweeter meat sitting 10 yards away.
And tho I feel as washed out as she probably is now, I'm glad for our afternoon with the mermaid. It was a great prerequisite for a first day of chaos at school.
By the time we got the cooler packed, chairs loaded and sunscreen on, it was almost 2:00 p.m.. A great time to arrive at the beach if you ask me. Most of the tourists have long been burnt to a crisp, the families have headed home for naptime, and only us older folks are just staking out our spots.
A family that had been there earlier had created the mermaid. It's funny how out of the whole beach, we sat down right next to her before we realized she was there. A father and son drew our attention to her, the young son asking questions about why she was there. And there she was.
It was a wonderful afternoon to be at the beach. The waves were calm, visibility was so clear. We watched a lost beach ball float out to sea for a good half hour. We could see the oil rigs off shore of Alabama, a good 15 miles out. The dolphins and pompano were jumping all afternoon, probably enjoying the cooler air brought on by a cold front that passed through during the night. We watched a tourist get caught on the finger by a crab. His peril for catching the critter in the first place.
We wiled away the hours, people watching, talking, eating pringles and enjoying our beverages. We solved the problems of the world, at least ours anyway, with the ease that comes from being at the beach. I fought off biting flies by throwing sand on my legs as they landed there. Finally they took off for sweeter meat sitting 10 yards away.
And tho I feel as washed out as she probably is now, I'm glad for our afternoon with the mermaid. It was a great prerequisite for a first day of chaos at school.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Enjoying the Last Weekend of Freedom
I remember this as a child. We wanted to cram all the fun we could into this last weekend of summer. Our school supplies were bought, new shoes waiting to take us to school, backpacks loaded and a fresh new lunch box that we were sure was the coolest one on the rack.
We wanted to run, and ride and go til long after sundown. Our parents wanted to get us into the "school routine" of going to bed early. It was so hard to go to sleep those last few days. I wanted every minute of my summer, but the excitement of going back to school and seeing friends kept me awake also.
Now, I just want every minute of peace and quiet, relaxation and rest I can get before Monday morning. All my friends are back, the teachers started this week. We've lunched out every day, enjoying that privilege that won't happen once students return.
I don't have any new clothes, yet. No new shoes, not even a hair cut to show off. Working 12 months at school takes some of the excitement of the first day of school away.
I'll get excited when I go to the first "real" football game next Friday night. I'll get excited when drop/add period closes and students are in their classes for nine weeks. I'll get excited when I can finally breathe because registrations over, books are bought and financial aid is all taken care of. Give me a few weeks, then I'll be excited!!!
For now, I'm just trying to be peaceful, relaxed and rested, in the midst of chaos. It's not the excitement of friends, new supplies or eaking out that last minute of summer that's keeping me awake. It's the OMG thoughts at 2 a.m...are schedules right? did I remember to schedule every class? is that student full time or part time? Did I give everyone their attendance sheets??? Oh the joys of the first day.
It never ends.
We wanted to run, and ride and go til long after sundown. Our parents wanted to get us into the "school routine" of going to bed early. It was so hard to go to sleep those last few days. I wanted every minute of my summer, but the excitement of going back to school and seeing friends kept me awake also.
Now, I just want every minute of peace and quiet, relaxation and rest I can get before Monday morning. All my friends are back, the teachers started this week. We've lunched out every day, enjoying that privilege that won't happen once students return.
I don't have any new clothes, yet. No new shoes, not even a hair cut to show off. Working 12 months at school takes some of the excitement of the first day of school away.
I'll get excited when I go to the first "real" football game next Friday night. I'll get excited when drop/add period closes and students are in their classes for nine weeks. I'll get excited when I can finally breathe because registrations over, books are bought and financial aid is all taken care of. Give me a few weeks, then I'll be excited!!!
For now, I'm just trying to be peaceful, relaxed and rested, in the midst of chaos. It's not the excitement of friends, new supplies or eaking out that last minute of summer that's keeping me awake. It's the OMG thoughts at 2 a.m...are schedules right? did I remember to schedule every class? is that student full time or part time? Did I give everyone their attendance sheets??? Oh the joys of the first day.
It never ends.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Will Scrap For Food
Last week I sent the Wedding/Travel/Journal to Texas so that it could go to St. Lucia to the wedding and to meet it's new owners/newlyweds, Jesse & Lori. They are probably still honeymooning somewhere in the Caribbean. Let's hope the tropical storms leave them alone.
When Lori's mom,Bee, received the W/T/J, she called me in tears. She loved it that much. She kept saying that every time she looked at it, she saw something she missed the time before. That's cool, because that's what I was trying to achieve.
We never discussed payment really. I have a hard time putting a price on something I love to do. Especially when it makes someone happy. That's my payment. But she insisted, so I said reimburse me for supplies and shipping, and we'll call it even. Which she did. Plus she tucked in a little something extra from Coldwater Creek, so this momma will have some stylin' new clothes for school! I thought that was pretty darned cool, and really more than enough!
Then today, I came home from work to find this on my doorstep
This box contains the most important ingredient to the best meat pie I've ever tasted.
That's right, Oliverio Peppers! A whole case of them! With Bee's meat pie recipe, we'll eat "High on the Hog" all winter long. Oliverio peppers are not available just anywhere. They are a small mom & pop company in West Virginia. But they are soooo good! I may not wait for cooler weather to make meat pie.
And Bee? I think we are more than even!
When Lori's mom,Bee, received the W/T/J, she called me in tears. She loved it that much. She kept saying that every time she looked at it, she saw something she missed the time before. That's cool, because that's what I was trying to achieve.
We never discussed payment really. I have a hard time putting a price on something I love to do. Especially when it makes someone happy. That's my payment. But she insisted, so I said reimburse me for supplies and shipping, and we'll call it even. Which she did. Plus she tucked in a little something extra from Coldwater Creek, so this momma will have some stylin' new clothes for school! I thought that was pretty darned cool, and really more than enough!
Then today, I came home from work to find this on my doorstep
This box contains the most important ingredient to the best meat pie I've ever tasted.
That's right, Oliverio Peppers! A whole case of them! With Bee's meat pie recipe, we'll eat "High on the Hog" all winter long. Oliverio peppers are not available just anywhere. They are a small mom & pop company in West Virginia. But they are soooo good! I may not wait for cooler weather to make meat pie.
And Bee? I think we are more than even!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Another School Year Begins
Tomorrow, our teachers return. It's been just a few short months since they left, this summer went so fast! I think this has been the fastest summer I've ever had and it sure was a busy one. A roller coaster of a summer for sure.
My summer began with the big office switcheroo at work. I'm in a quieter office now, out of the way of traffic coming in the front door. It's a bit smaller, but the biggest office in our hall. I don't rate this office because I'm a SOMEbody, I just have to have lots of stuff to do my job. Stuff like file Cabinets, a huge paper shredder, printer and the like. Not to mention my big desk, to spread all those wonderful state reports around on. It's been different, but I love where I am now. I get the morning sunshine and not the blistering afternoon sun on my south and west wall, like I had before.
I had several weekend retreats of one kind or another. My first was the birthday crop in Valrico. Susie and I had a fun trip down to see the Hilltop girls and crop with them. Teri brought her daughter, Sara with her to spend the day with us. We had so much fun with Sara, she's a hoot! Then Teri came back and spent the night too! I just love Teri, she's so serious sometimes and a blast to be around all the time! Linda's crops are the BEST. I love those women and cherish the many great memories we've made at Hilltop Crops.
Next was the Girl's weekend at Jill's in North Carolina. From the pink limo, to the trip to Archiver's (twice) to just hanging on her back porch playing LCR. It was a weekend I'll never forget. Definitely on my fab 5 things I've done with the girls. Jill & Scott were such wonderful hosts, they have a beautiful home that makes you feel comfortable the minute you walk through the door. Thanks JILL! I'll never, ever forget your kindness.
I got to fly home for my nephew's wedding a short time after that trip. It's hard to believe he's grown with a wife and home. It seems like just yesterday he was a little twerp who was always looking for batteries to run his games. The wedding was one of the most beautiful I've ever been to. His new wife and her family are wonderful people and we feel blessed to have them join with ours. Again another wonderful weekend with wonderful people in a wonderful place.
The very next weekend was Teresa Collin's class at Ruban Rouge. WOW! What can I say. Such a talented scrapper, such a down to earth woman, I'm such a fan now. Her daughter was with her and what a lovely young woman she was. Just a joy to be there. Thanks to Kip and her lovely hospitality. I am so thankful she opens her home to me and it's just such a laid back, relaxing, homey time. No fuss, no muss, what you see is what you get, that's what I love about her! And her boys, Max & Mudgey, love those boys! They always greet me with licks and love (well after Mudge comes out from under the chair & Max is done trying to take a chunk our of me) But I just love them. We had such a great time that weekend with all the girls, pizza afterward, laughing and carrying on. Just what a girl needs.
So now school begins again and I must get my nose to the grindstone. It's been such a great time, filled with many memories. So many of my friends return to work tomorrow, cept Kip! because in case you haven't heard, SHE'S R E T I R E D! Have a great retirement friend!
My summer began with the big office switcheroo at work. I'm in a quieter office now, out of the way of traffic coming in the front door. It's a bit smaller, but the biggest office in our hall. I don't rate this office because I'm a SOMEbody, I just have to have lots of stuff to do my job. Stuff like file Cabinets, a huge paper shredder, printer and the like. Not to mention my big desk, to spread all those wonderful state reports around on. It's been different, but I love where I am now. I get the morning sunshine and not the blistering afternoon sun on my south and west wall, like I had before.
I had several weekend retreats of one kind or another. My first was the birthday crop in Valrico. Susie and I had a fun trip down to see the Hilltop girls and crop with them. Teri brought her daughter, Sara with her to spend the day with us. We had so much fun with Sara, she's a hoot! Then Teri came back and spent the night too! I just love Teri, she's so serious sometimes and a blast to be around all the time! Linda's crops are the BEST. I love those women and cherish the many great memories we've made at Hilltop Crops.
Next was the Girl's weekend at Jill's in North Carolina. From the pink limo, to the trip to Archiver's (twice) to just hanging on her back porch playing LCR. It was a weekend I'll never forget. Definitely on my fab 5 things I've done with the girls. Jill & Scott were such wonderful hosts, they have a beautiful home that makes you feel comfortable the minute you walk through the door. Thanks JILL! I'll never, ever forget your kindness.
I got to fly home for my nephew's wedding a short time after that trip. It's hard to believe he's grown with a wife and home. It seems like just yesterday he was a little twerp who was always looking for batteries to run his games. The wedding was one of the most beautiful I've ever been to. His new wife and her family are wonderful people and we feel blessed to have them join with ours. Again another wonderful weekend with wonderful people in a wonderful place.
The very next weekend was Teresa Collin's class at Ruban Rouge. WOW! What can I say. Such a talented scrapper, such a down to earth woman, I'm such a fan now. Her daughter was with her and what a lovely young woman she was. Just a joy to be there. Thanks to Kip and her lovely hospitality. I am so thankful she opens her home to me and it's just such a laid back, relaxing, homey time. No fuss, no muss, what you see is what you get, that's what I love about her! And her boys, Max & Mudgey, love those boys! They always greet me with licks and love (well after Mudge comes out from under the chair & Max is done trying to take a chunk our of me) But I just love them. We had such a great time that weekend with all the girls, pizza afterward, laughing and carrying on. Just what a girl needs.
So now school begins again and I must get my nose to the grindstone. It's been such a great time, filled with many memories. So many of my friends return to work tomorrow, cept Kip! because in case you haven't heard, SHE'S R E T I R E D! Have a great retirement friend!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
So It's Saturday!
I'm cleaning and doing laundry and actually enjoying it. It's theraputic and I must be a sick individual. Most of my friends are at a great crop, Fried Green Tomatoes in Sebring Florida. So maybe I'm just convincing myself I'm enjoying cleaning.
I picked up a treasure the other day, This!
I know it doesn't look like much, but it's more of a sentimental value than anything. My mom had this exact cook book. It was probably one of her original cookbooks as it's dated 1947 around the time she married. I wanted it, it has alot of the recipes she used cooking for us when we were growing up. Many of the old Penn. Dutch and German recipes, that I'm sure were handed down through the family came out of this book. So it's invaluable for that, where else would she have learned to cook Pork Ribs and Sauerkraut? Yep, it's in this book.
It also has great recipes from all over the U.S.. Great Gumbo from the Creole section. Fried Chicken from many parts of the country, and coastal recipes from the Atlantic.
So since I didn't win that battle when we split up the household stuff, I've always had my eye open for this book. A few weeks ago when I was home, I copied down the title, author and publisher and began my search. I paid $20 for it on alibris.com and had it in two days!
I sent a picture to my brother saying look what I have now! I know his heart stopped a minute thinking I'd "borrowed" his copy. But he said my copy is actually in better shape. Mine came with the original paper cover also. Looking for an odd, old recipe your mom or granny used to make? It's probably in here!
I'm back to cleaning house, doing laundry, and I'm craving the ribs and sauerkraut too. Maybe that's what I'll make for dinner???
I picked up a treasure the other day, This!
I know it doesn't look like much, but it's more of a sentimental value than anything. My mom had this exact cook book. It was probably one of her original cookbooks as it's dated 1947 around the time she married. I wanted it, it has alot of the recipes she used cooking for us when we were growing up. Many of the old Penn. Dutch and German recipes, that I'm sure were handed down through the family came out of this book. So it's invaluable for that, where else would she have learned to cook Pork Ribs and Sauerkraut? Yep, it's in this book.
It also has great recipes from all over the U.S.. Great Gumbo from the Creole section. Fried Chicken from many parts of the country, and coastal recipes from the Atlantic.
So since I didn't win that battle when we split up the household stuff, I've always had my eye open for this book. A few weeks ago when I was home, I copied down the title, author and publisher and began my search. I paid $20 for it on alibris.com and had it in two days!
I sent a picture to my brother saying look what I have now! I know his heart stopped a minute thinking I'd "borrowed" his copy. But he said my copy is actually in better shape. Mine came with the original paper cover also. Looking for an odd, old recipe your mom or granny used to make? It's probably in here!
I'm back to cleaning house, doing laundry, and I'm craving the ribs and sauerkraut too. Maybe that's what I'll make for dinner???
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Jesse & Lori's Album
This is an album I made for a friend whose daughter is getting married this weekend. She wanted something simple to document their world travels the past few years, and also serve as a sign in for their wedding this weekend in St. Lucia. I also added a few pages for them to add pictures of their first dance, the Father/Daughter dance, and a few bridal photos.
Not shown is some added mini pages, envelopes, and little sign in pages that were added later. I didn't like the way the book was bound the first time so I redid the bindings and added some pages. I'm hoping Denise will take pictures after they add pictures from the wedding!
I had such fun doing it, even tho I've never met them! It was different for me to scrap with pictures and for someone I didn't know. Denise (the friend, mom of Lori) called me when she got it in tears. She said I captured them perfectly and she's sure they will love it. I hope they do!
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Well It's Wednesday!
Can I just say I was exhausted by the time I got home on Tuesday? I think I was walking on autopilot from 5 p.m. on. It was all I could do to eat dinner and do two loads of laundry before I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
Between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. we registered over 300 new students. About 10 a.m. they pulled me off the computer and put me in the room with the guidance counselors to be a guidance counselor. Wow! It was steady all day and we didn't get to eat til 4 p.m.. Our two guidance counselors kept teasing me about making sure the paperwork was right (I'm always on them about that). They loved finding my mistakes! But we pulled through and got everyone done.
I enjoyed the one on one with each student. Most were so excited to start this new venture in their lives. Some were nervous, but I think I made them feel better. It's scary for them, especially older people coming in after being out of school so long. We did register a 79 year old lady for Culinary class. Can you imagine.
It feels good to be here today. I just got to Tallahassee and am in the hotel with my feet up. Tomorrow starts our F U N meetings. I'm just trusting the process........
Between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. we registered over 300 new students. About 10 a.m. they pulled me off the computer and put me in the room with the guidance counselors to be a guidance counselor. Wow! It was steady all day and we didn't get to eat til 4 p.m.. Our two guidance counselors kept teasing me about making sure the paperwork was right (I'm always on them about that). They loved finding my mistakes! But we pulled through and got everyone done.
I enjoyed the one on one with each student. Most were so excited to start this new venture in their lives. Some were nervous, but I think I made them feel better. It's scary for them, especially older people coming in after being out of school so long. We did register a 79 year old lady for Culinary class. Can you imagine.
It feels good to be here today. I just got to Tallahassee and am in the hotel with my feet up. Tomorrow starts our F U N meetings. I'm just trusting the process........
Monday, August 03, 2009
Monday Monday
I'm trying to keep up this ole blog in between all my comings and goings. It's not easy! When I'm home I'm trying to spend time with the hubby and take care of some things here in the house. Cook a meal or two, dust, sweep, you know the routine.
I had a wonderful time at Ruban Rouge with Teresa Collins' Class! She is an awesome scrapper! A very down to earth girl, not pretentious at all. I love her! It was good to see great friends again. I never get enough of that!
As always, Kip was the best hostess. We had a great time with the girls after class, eating pizza, chatting, sharing ideas. I wish I lived closer to these wonderful women!
I haven't downloaded the camera. I came home inspired and scrapped most of the evening. Plus the hubby time, the kid time, and a few odds and ends here.
Today is first day of registration at school. I'm staying to get all the data in, at the latest 8 p.m.. But since I'm out of town this week W-F, I want to get as much done before I leave as I can!
I hope your day is a great one!
I had a wonderful time at Ruban Rouge with Teresa Collins' Class! She is an awesome scrapper! A very down to earth girl, not pretentious at all. I love her! It was good to see great friends again. I never get enough of that!
As always, Kip was the best hostess. We had a great time with the girls after class, eating pizza, chatting, sharing ideas. I wish I lived closer to these wonderful women!
I haven't downloaded the camera. I came home inspired and scrapped most of the evening. Plus the hubby time, the kid time, and a few odds and ends here.
Today is first day of registration at school. I'm staying to get all the data in, at the latest 8 p.m.. But since I'm out of town this week W-F, I want to get as much done before I leave as I can!
I hope your day is a great one!
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